X-Factor #141

X-Factor #141 was published in 1997 as part of the late-run narrative arc of the original X-Factor series. By this stage in the title's history, the team dynamic had shifted significantly from its initial premise, focusing on a government-sanctioned mutant squad operating under tight oversight. The issue reflects the editorial tone of Marvel's X-Men line during the late nineties, a period defined by complex continuity and internal struggles within the mutant community.

The creative direction for this period of X-Factor was helmed by writer Howard Mackie, with contributions from artists like Jeff Matsuda. The design and visual storytelling aimed to convey a sense of gritty, high-stakes espionage rather than traditional superhero adventurism. While this era of the series is often viewed as a bridge toward the eventual cancellation of the title, it remains a notable example of the experimentation Marvel performed with its legacy characters during the transition into a new editorial era.